“Humanitarian billing is legislatively mandatory for former service members who have been or are ultimately deemed ineligible for veteran affairs health care consistent with veteran affairs authority.”

He also said they have outpatient clinics in State College, Johnstown and DuBois.

When needed, telemedicine is also an option for patients, Watson said.

State Rep. Bryan Barbin also spoke at the summit.

At the state legislature, a veterans’ trust fund has been created over the last 10 years to offer temporary assistance to veterans, Barbin said.

Michael Dunn, former Walter Reed Medical Center commander, said the fund has $650,000, all from donations.

He said over half of the state’s veterans are at or over the retirement age of 65.

Dunn also mentioned the lack of medical information as something he hopes to improve.

“If we have the means for which (we are) to be able to trust an ATM machine, why can’t we get that (information) service well in the health service.

“We’re still connecting the dots. We’re still pretty early on.”

One of the event’s highlight was a panel about suicide-prevention.

Russel Crupe Sr., father of a veteran who was in combat in Iraq – Russel L. Crupe Jr. — spoke about his son’s suicide and displayed a picture of his son’s radiant smile.

“Even on his bad days, he could hide behind that smile.

“I’m telling you this, but I knew he wasn’t the same boy I sent off to Iraq (when he came back).”

After delineating a heroic National Guard soldier’s life and the bereaved parents he left behind after his death, Crupe Sr. said that everyone should be responsible for helping veterans as citizens.

“Our problem today is we did not do enough to get them (veterans) back to society.”

He suggested that even a small gesture such as saying, ‘thank you,’ for their service when seeing veterans on the street or at a mall can be helpful.

Miles E. Palasz, Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania’s Coordinator, who is also a veteran, said seeking mental health professionals’ help for veterans is still difficult because of the stigmas attached.

Palasz said he considered two potential consequences for going to a mental health professional, one being losing his clearance and the other, getting a medical discharge.

“When I was having mental health issues, it weighed heavily on me.”

Eileen Woods, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Altoona Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, said out of 43,000 suicides per year, 8,000 of them are veterans. Veterans can call a crisis line if needed at 1-800-273-8255.

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus said in a video to attendants that suicide-prevention is important.

“On average, 22 veterans fall victim to suicide each day. This statistic breaks my heart and rattles my soul. We can and we must do our best for the men and women who have served our country.

“We can never truly know what the experiences arethat they endured. We can and must all play a part that put everyone’s participation in today’s program.”